Authors Note:

Apologies, guys. I never intended this chapter to take this long to post.

Unfortunately, I caught Covid-19 and was ill for a while. Nothing to worry about; I just hugged my bed more than I usually did and had a headache like a hangover, without the fun of the booze. So that was week one. In week two, my 4yr old twins had spring term holidays, so I had no time to sit, read or write. Then weeks 3 and 4, I have been renovating my house. So been manic with trades and trips to B&Q DIY, hardware and lighting shops! Who would have thought I would be undecided over a kitchen sink or a breakfast bar light fitting?

The good news is full steam ahead. Back to normal, so hopefully, I will post at least once per week and have this story wrapped up soon.

Thank you for the journey with me. Hope you continue to enjoy the ride!

Love CC xx

Chapter 31 - Hello

Thursday 15th March, 00:05 am

Innside, Townhouse Suite

Getting ready to exit the room five minutes later, Bo changed into black jeans, a bodice top and her favourite leather jacket. The door knocked. Bo rushed to open it, expecting Tamsin; instead, she bumped into a confused looking man.

"Hi, Bo." Dyson's broad frame stepped into the room, and the door remained open. "I don't know if you remember me, and I'm sorry to knock on you like this, but I'm Dy—"

"Dyson. Yes, I do remember you. You worked with Lauren a few years ago. Do you still?" Bo eyed him cautiously. She didn't know who she could actually trust in Lauren's circle and who she couldn't.

Dyson smiled, "No, she climbed a different ladder to me. I still work in Combat Training but as a tutor sergeant for the Police training new recruits, not the NCB. Speaking of Lauren, have you seen her this evening?"

Bo watched as Dyson checked out the suite, obviously looking around to see if Lauren was there. "No, sorry." Which, in Bo's defence, was true. As tonight she had seen Lola, not officially Lauren.

"I was with her earlier, having some drinks when she told me she had been to your work convention this afternoon. Then one drink turned into several, and well, I just wanted to make sure she was okay as she isn't answering her phone."

"When does she ever? She's worse than me." Bo patted his arm; he was obviously concerned. Still, Bo wasn't going to tell anyone anything until she had spoken to her. "Like I said, I've not seen her since we parted at around four pm at the convention, and she didn't say what she was doing tonight. And I didn't ask, as we are dating, but we're not exclusive."

"Okay," Dyson was satisfied that Lauren wasn't in the room. Also another indicator was Bo was heading out, dressed up with her boots on. Which meant that either Lauren was telling the truth, and they were having a night apart, or Bo was heading out to meet her. Either way, he would find Lauren after waking feeling like he had been drugged with her missing. He needed answers but wouldn't worry Lauren's girlfriend getting them. "And Lauren is definitely exclusively into you and dating only you."

Dyson's comment blindsided Bo. Twice now, in less than an hour, she had been spooked, "Wh-what, erm, I mean, why do you say that?"

Dyson gave a warm smile, "Oh well, it was obvious. She talked about you non-stop, and when she didn't, she positively glowed. Lauren was so proud of you this afternoon. She thought you were absolutely brilliant. But I will let her tell you all this next time you meet. And if you see her or hear from her, please ask her to call me. Good to meet you again, and goodnight."

Bo gleamed a smile in return.

Dyson went to leave but was stopped in his tracks as Tamsin ran into the room, crashing and falling into him. Dyson held her to stop her toppling. She was arched, dazed and tangled. Tamsin went to scream at being held in such an intimate way when she stopped, as the purest green eyes looked down at her. Her stranger's ruffled ash blonde hair and muscular frame sent shivers all over her body. An electric pulse from toes to ears spiralled her out of herself and back inward. An unexplained and unexpected smile crept across her face as she purposely stood up as slowly as possible.

"Sorry about that." She straightened herself, still close to her stranger. Body against body. Hip locked on hip. Her arm was still around his waist, as was his arm around hers.

Bo watched her friend with amazement. The Tamsin she knew would have torn strips from him. This Tamsin was like a soft puppy. "Ah-hem. Tamsin, this is Dyson. A friend of Laurens. Dyson, this is Tamsin Ta-"

"Taylor, I know." Reluctantly Dyson stepped back. Something about the way Tamsin smiled at him made him blush. "It is surreal to meet you in person. I have watched you as Ashley in Vixens for years."

"Are you a fan?" Tamsin took his muscular arm and ran her hand down it, stepping back to be hip to hip with him.

"Yes, I think you are brilliant. I loved the episode when you were shadowboxing. You gave a perfect weave technique." Dyson re-enacted move by move, "Jab, jab, hook, jab, squat, uppercut. That would definitely see your opponent on their arse."

Tamsin giggled, "And did your girlfriend or wife also watch?"

Dyson grinned. The way Tamsin's blue eyes looked at him made him feel powerful. She was captivating. "My wife didn't watch, no."

"Oh," Tamsin pulled away slightly.

Dyson pulled her back. "And she will soon be my ex-wife."

Positioning herself back in his embrace, Tamsin continued to flirt. "She has no taste then, in TV or men."

As much as this interaction was cute, Lauren was in danger, and Bo needed to leave. "Okay, this is nice. But we are leaving. Tam, let go."

"Yes, we are off to –"

Tamsin didn't finish that sentence as Bo grabbed her arm, "Tam and I are off to a party. The life of celebrities, hey. All hours we are there, promoting our brand and networking. And like I said, if I hear or see Lauren, I will call you."

Dyson was not convinced but let it play out. "Okay, ladies. Have a good night." He winked at Tamsin and left.

Tamsin watched him leave, poking her head out of the door to continue to watch him walk down the corridor and into a waiting elevator. "What the hell. Lauren has some good looking friends. Is it hot in here? I think I overdressed." Tamsin pulled at her light jeans and blue leather jacket.

"No, you just experienced the Spark." Bo grinned, pulling her from the room and pacing them down the corridor. Bo pressed the button and the second elevator roared to life, and in no time, the door opened.

"The what?" Tamsin had caught up with Bo and slipped into the other elevator with her.

The journey would take thirty seconds. Bo turned to Tamsin. "The Spark. The excitement and anticipation just to see someone. The uncontrollable smile when they walk into a room. Or when you can feel them nearby. The pride you feel when someone else gets to speak to them or be near them. The spark."

"Ridiculous." Tamsin leaned against the back wall; Bo shrugged and faced the doors. Tamsin shook her head. It was insane. However, Dyson's face was in her mind, and she literally craved to see him again.

Thursday 15th March, 00:40 am

Lachlan's Mansions

"Room four clear. That's the top floor cleared. Permission to recheck ground. Over." Lauren moved her finger from her intercom in her ear and back to her gun, holding to her eye line.

"No, revert back. Over." Jack's voice was in Lauren's ear.

"Sir, please, something is here. Over." Lauren stood still, finger on her intercom in her ear. She could not explain exactly how she knew without comprising Bo for stealing the phone. But she knew that Lachlan was hiding something as his security system, medical supplies and oxygen tanks were a giveaway to that fact.

"Outside. Out." The coms went dead. Lauren knew it wasn't a question.

Once outside, Lauren stood on the back lawn facing Jack. "Jack, he is hiding something in there. I just know."

"Silence, Lewis." Jack was dressed all in black and not his usual three-piece suit. "Your intel was wrong. The house has been searched." Jack showed the floor plans with each room crossed over with a red pen.

"Just a few more minutes." Lauren grabbed her bag from inside the van and, in an instant, removed her dress and put on a black top, black jeans, and a protective vest. "I don't trust Lambert. Please let me search the ground floor."

Jack hadn't noticed her outfit change until he heard the rip of velcro tightening. "I am sending in the second team and Agent Lambert to finish this. You need to get back to the Airport Office and Dyson. He is your alibi. You cant be anywhere near this place when it goes up in flames."

Ryan Lambert appeared behind him, "Boss, we have set up a parameter. He has only two security guards, both in front. Fire will start from the back kitchen. Lachlan is still downstairs, drugged in the room next door. It will go up so quick, no one will attempt a rescue."

"Set the room up, but wait for my instruction." Jack turned to Lauren, "You have ten minutes, then get out of there."

Lauren nodded and headed back into the house. She checked on Lachlan, who was still slumped on the chair. The drug finally took effect fifteen minutes after arriving at his house. The timing was off. Bo had somewhat altered the plan, but she still managed to drug his drink and get him home, past security conscious and instructions to his guards not to enter. It was a matter of waiting while she listened to his ego gloat about how rich and powerful he was. As soon as he was asleep, she called in her backup team.

In each room Lauren entered, she deduced the same way as Lambert's team had. They were empty. No bookshelves or secret rooms. All rooms led onto another or an outer wall. The last room was Lachlan's floor-to-ceiling, stone-built office, with three full-length steps leading down onto a marble floor. An enormous desk, filled with monitors and a wireless keyboard, was at the far end. Around the room were antique swords pinned to the walls and numerous suits of armour decorating the place but nothing else.

Lauren turned to leave, but something stopped her in her tracks. A sound. A slight thump under her heeled boots didn't sound right. A hollowed echo. Dropping, she pressed her ear to the floor. A slight breeze hit her face. Jumping up, she ran to the desk, rubbing her hand over the bottom and side. Falling to her back to look underneath. And then she saw it. Hidden in the corner was a small button. Lauren pressed it.

A slight rumble was heard as the mechanics roared up. Peering over the desk, Lauren watched as slowly the floor retracted from the stairs to the desk, revealing more stairs leading down. "Gotcha." Lauren pressed the intercom in her ear, "Hawk one, Hawk two. Eagle has eyes on. Lachlan Office. Tanto."

"Hawk two, Hawk one, Wilco," Jack confirmed Lauren's instructions. "Wait, over."

"Roger. Out." Lauren eyed the stairs; she had to wait for the backup team, but a quick peek wouldn't hurt. Lauren slowly scaled the stairs, entering the dark space. Eyes adjusting and hands fumbling the walls for any sign of a light switch. Finding nothing, Lauren used the torch on her phone and shone into the room. Gasping as the room illuminated.

A few minutes later, Lauren heard Ryan call out. "Down here. Found three women locked in cages. Lachlan is an animal."

"You were told to wait." Ryan rushed past her and down the stairs. "I need to verify your story."

Lauren rolled her eyes and followed him, stopping halfway down and crouching in the dark. "They appear to be sleeping or drugged," Lauren whispered into the barely lit room.

"Ladies, you are in a safe environment now. Please trust us." Ryan shouted to the women.

"Ssshh, Ryan." Lauren pulled Ryan to ear level and whispered. "We need to confer."

One of the women stirred. "Hello."

'Fuck', Lauren mouthed.

"Are you soldiers?" the women spoke in broken English.

"Why are you here?" Ryan asked, walking toward the cell door. "Where are you from?"

"From Russia. We be promised a better life here if we come. Instead, they take our passports and put us in here. Are we saved now?"

"Yes, but you will need to be processed first and may face deportation. You can't just be released." Ryan replied.

Lauren rushed back down the stairs and pulled Lambert into the shadows, whispering, "What the fuck. Shut up, and get outside now. I said we needed to confer. Go now." Lauren didn't know what would happen. They weren't part of the original plan. The plan was to kill Lachlan in a house fire and make it look like an accident. Lauren crept back upstairs, ensuring she wasn't seen or heard by the woken woman.

Ryan was back by her side in a flash. "Hawk One, Hawk Three. Confirmed. Three Eagles. Exit strategy in place. Over."

"Negative. Retreat. Out." Jack replied.

Lauren, Ryan, and the rest of the team exited the house via the rear door. The woman still remained locked in their cells under Lachlan's office. Jack stood by a waiting van.

Ryan rushed to his side. "Three women, Eastern European. One conscious, the others still asleep or drugged. Not concluded. Lewis wanted us to leave them to confer with you."

"Right move." Jack nodded to Lauren. "Due to this, we need a new plan. Lambert, disconnect the wires. If the snakehead isn't Lachlan, we need to get the operation source and see how far this goes up. Meaning Lewis, you need to stay in cover. How long is Dyson out for?"

"I administered ten milligrams at eighteen-thirty, and he was out by twenty-thirty," Lauren answered.

"That's six hours, so have till two-thirty. Still got time. Lauren, get back in, and Lachlan in bed-"

"I won't sleep with him." Lauren interrupted. She had rules, and she had never before and will never sleep with someone for a job, especially a man.

"Did I ask you too? I said, get him in bed. When he wakes up, act annoyed and go to leave. He should apologise and ask you for another date. And you will date him until we have all our answers. Keep him interested. Don't have sex with him, but don't let him get bored with you either. Not until we have gathered all the intel we need."

"Yes, please don't fuck him, as a lesbo would be a right shit shag, and he will dump you," Ryan added, laughing. Jack shot him a warning look.

"I heard he was bi, so why don't you go in there and offer up your arse?" Lauren poked Ryan hard in the chest.

Jack stepped between them both, "Lewis, Lambert. What are we going to do about the women currently being held? Any ideas."

"I have one," Lauren replied. "But I don't think it will be popular."

Jack turned, "I'm listening."

Thursday 15th March, 00:50 am

Outside Lachlan's Mansions

"Okay, so what's the plan now we're here?" Tamsin hot-footed from side to side. This was exciting for her. Typically her days consisted of planned events and meets. This was new, therefore, exciting.

"Wait here," Bo replied, noticing Tamsin's frown and statue pose.

"What?" Tamsin had her hands on her hips. "I came all this way, and I don't get to hit someone?"

Bo laughed, "You gave Massimo a good slap for me. Thank you for that."

"Oh, I enjoyed that. Wanted to do that for a long time, just needed a reason. So thank you. And don't allow Mass or anyone to speak to you like that. But I don't get why Lauren didn't floor him first."

"Cause it would have broken her cover. And I was trying my best to keep it hidden, so she couldn't." Bo answered. Bo hadn't asked Lauren, but she desperately hoped that would be the case if it ever happened again. "So please, Tam, no, we were never hitting anyone here, babes. Just delivering a message and leaving."

"Not even one swipe at Lauren or Lachlan for doing what they are doing in there. If that was my lover, I would—"

Bo interrupted, "I trust Lauren. She said nothing was going to happen, and I believe her."

"Wow." Tamsin didn't need to say anymore as Bo's face was telling her not to. She hadn't seen Bo this trusting since they were in Morzine when she was so much more naïve. Tam hadn't yet made up her mind if she liked who Bo was around Lauren. In many ways, it was better, but in some, like now, it was worse. To trust someone who was still a stranger was dangerous. Bo wasn't the same person she was three years ago.

"Spit it out, Tamsin." Bo twisted and stood directly facing her friend. Her rapid eye movements had alerted Bo that Tamsin wasn't happy about the plan or the situation.

"Bo, you're an international superstar, known globally and adored by millions. Yet, here we are, stood outside a house in the middle of Northumberland, warning your spy girlfriend that her cover could be blown. All while said spy girlfriend is inside using sex to lure in her victim." Tams blurted out. She was never to hold back on saying what she wanted to say.

"Tam, that's why I need you here. If I go inside and something has gone wrong, and Lauren is with Lachlan like that, I think I would be done. But would hold it all in, give Lauren the message and leave as planned." Bo leaned in and held her friend in a tight hold. "And I will need you to get me home."

Tam nodded. She noticed that her friend was close to tears and prayed that Lauren had kept her promise. "Okay, but it will all be good. Lauren works for the secret service, and I'm sure they have rules about these kinds of things."

Bo nodded. She knew that her friend was trying her best to reassure her. "Thanks. I still need to get in first. Wish me luck."

Bo walked off, and Tamsin quickly shouted back, "You don't need luck. You're Bo fricking Dennis."

Bo looked back to see Tamsin grinning and holding two thumbs up. She then slid back behind the sidewall. Bo walked up confidently to the main gate, where a small hut was. The security guards were dressed in cream and green cargo pants and shirts. The logo of Lachlans company on their caps.

"Hi, I am here to see Vincent Lachlan."

"Sorry, Mr Lachlan isn't taking any more visitors tonight." Bo's arm was taken as she was led back towards the road.

"Guys, come on. At least let Vincent know I am here." Bo protested.

"As we already said, instructions are no distractions." The taller guard huffed.

"But I'm Bo Dennis. Your boss will want to know about me." Bo released her arm from his grip and spun around, holding his card. "He invited me."

The guard took Lachlan's card and went inside the security gate. Picking up the phone, he called the main house, letting it ring out. No answer. "Listen, I have tried. There is no answer."

"Well, I would hate to be you when he finds out you turned away Bo Dennis." Bo turned.

"Erm, Miss Dennis. Wait a minute." The guard held up his finger, signalling for her to stop.

Bo stopped and smiled.

Meanwhile inside...

Despite Ryan's objections, it was concluded that the women had to remain. It was an idea that Lauren had put forward. Initially, it was not well received, but once she had explained her reasons, it was onboarded. Jack made it clear that Lambert should not have attempted to ´rescue´ the women in the first place, and he had not followed his instructions. As a consequence, it fell upon him to break the news. A job that he didn't want to do. Ryan promised the women that they would return.

"I know we've had our differences Lewis but fuck me, you're one heartless cunt." Ryan drugged the girl that had woken, and she slumped back to the floor. "There is nothing to say. She will say we were here, and the cover is blown anyway."

"It's not in her interest to do that." Lauren remained tight jawed. Of course, she wanted them freed. "The mission would have been compromised, and all we would have got was three women rescued. We would have learnt nothing of their operation; how they got here, who brought them or where they went after here. Many more could be on route or have been passed on. Their lives matter too."

"Heartless Lauren." Ryan secured the cell door. "It would be different if this girl was someone you cared about. You wouldn't use her as a pawn if it was your celebrity girlfriend."

Lauren didn't answer. She didn't need to, as Ryan was right. Lauren would never leave Bo in that cell, no matter at what cost. But this woman wasn't Bo, and she compartmentalised her decision. Instead, she walked out and went to Lachlan. Standing over his body, she made the first attempt to lift him. He was a dead weight. A heavier man than he looked. Ryan was not in the mood to help either. He had made that clear as he disconnected the triggers that would have caused the fires. Lauren's second attempt worked, as he was on his feet and slumped over her shoulder in one swift movement. Elevating him higher onto her back, she carried him to his bedroom.

Lauren returned as Ryan was leaving. "If she or any one of them dies, it is on you, Lewis."

Lauren didn't reply. Pressing her intercom, Lauren spoke quietly, "Hawk one, hawk two. All birds are in the nest."

"Hawk two confirmed. Set. Out." Jack took one last look at the house and got into the car. Ryan caught up and stepped into the driver's seat, and they quietly left via the back tradesmen road.

Lauren removed her intercom, pocketed it and slid under the desk. The floor was moving back into position. All she needed to do now was change back, hide her bag, and drug Lachlan again. This time so he would wake up. Lauren couldn't help but think of the three women she had placed back under Lachlan's office. A place that no one deserved to be. She needed the operation done quickly so that they could be free soon.

Lauren froze as she heard the phone ring. Letting go of the button, she rose to the desk monitor and saw the security line was calling. The monitor showed one guard, but more alarmingly, Bo standing behind. The ringing stopped. Lauren watched. The monitor had no sound. Suddenly Bo and the guard left the screen, reappearing on the path leading up to the front door.

"Fuckkkkk".

Lauren had to make a choice, and she had to make it now.